Which individual in the emergency department should be considered at highest risk for completing suicide?
A 38-year-old single, African American female church member with fibrocystic breast disease.
An adolescent Asian American girl with superior athletic and academic skills who has asthma.
A 79-year-old single, white male diagnosed recently with terminal cancer of the prostate.
A 60-year-old married Hispanic man with 12 grandchildren who has type 2 diabetes.
The Correct Answer is C
A. African American females, especially with strong religious affiliation and social ties, have a lower risk of suicide compared to other demographics.
B. Adolescents may have suicidal ideation under stress, but the protective factors (academic and athletic success, no indication of psychiatric illness) lower the risk.
C. Older white males are at the highest statistical risk for suicide, especially when compounded by chronic illness, terminal diagnosis, social isolation (single), and depression.
D. Despite chronic illness (type 2 diabetes), protective factors such as being married and having many grandchildren reduce suicide risk.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Distinguishing between reality and fantasy shows intact cognition, not mental illness.
B. A persistent sad, hopeless mood suggests depression, a hallmark of mental illness when symptoms are severe and ongoing.
C. Occasional anxiety and insomnia can be normal stress responses, not necessarily mental illness.
D. Difficulty making a decision about work is a common life stressor, not a clear sign of mental illness.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. This response minimizes her grief and implies pathology; crying after a recent traumatic loss is normal.
B. This response acknowledges the client’s pain, validates her feelings, and encourages continued expression, making it therapeutic.
C. This abruptly changes the subject and ignores her grief, which is the client’s primary concern.
D. This pathologizes normal grief and focuses on her diagnosis instead of providing empathy and support.
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